Utah Bill Would Mean Stricter Regulations for Union Workers

by Alex Gonzalez, Utah News Connection

Ask an Expert Relax and De-stress with Meditation

by Cindy Nelson, Utah State University Extension Associate Professor

It can be a challenge to make the time to rest our minds, relax, and find peace. But it is definitely worth the effort.

According to a study reported at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, chronic stress may be linked to many physical illnesses and can negatively affect our mental health. The study showed that: elements:

• 43% of adults experienced adverse health effects from stress.

75-90% of visits to a physician’s office are for stress-related conditions and complaints.

A quiet location with few distractions.

A comfortable position (sitting, lying down, walking).

A focus of attention on something specific.

An open attitude to let distractions come and go without judgment.

SALT LAKE CITY -

A Utah lawmaker has proposed a bill which could impose stricter restrictions and regulations for public employees.

Passage of House Bill 241, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher, RSouth Jordan, would mean union stewards and leaders would not be allowed paid time to engage in union work. It would also prohibit a public employer from deducting union dues from a public employee's wages and prohibit public money or public property to be used for union organizing or administration.

Shelley Bilbrey, court clerk for Salt Lake City for almost two decades, has been a member of her union for the last 16 years and has been a union stew- ard the last eight. She said in her opinion, the provisions mean Utah labor unions are in for the fight of their lives.

"A union member cannot do any union business whatsoever in a public building," Bilbrey explained. "That, right there, pretty much puts a kibosh on the union."

Teuscher has said it is an issue of using taxpayer money to process payroll deduction for union dues. Bilbrey countered she is shocked and confused because public employees have other deductions being taken out of their paycheck, and she does not see how union deduction fees are different.

Bilbrey added the measures proposed in the bill would heavily compli-

Adobe Stock cate helping union members. Bilbrey explained she joined her union to have a voice. As a union steward, Bilbrey emphasized she has a specific number of hours covered to handle union issues. If the bill were passed, Bilbrey stressed union issues would have to be resolved on one's own time.

"I don't know how to figure out how we would go around that," Bilbrey admitted. "What am I supposed to say to someone? 'Oh yeah, hey, meet me at Denny's.' "

Bilbrey added being part of a union is all about leveling the playing field and about giving individuals a voice at the workplace. She sees the bill not only as perplexing, but as an attack on public employees and Utah unions.

• Stress has been linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. Developing the ability to relax will help alleviate the impacts of stress and anxiety.

How can we learn to relax and enjoy life’s simple moments with all our duties and responsibilities?

Meditation may be the answer. Consider this information.

Meditation has been used for years as a way to increase calmness and help with physical relaxation. Meditation is a combination of the mind and body working together to calm the mind and help us find peace. According to the National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, there are numerous types of meditation, but most have four common

There are numerous benefits to meditation. It calms, restores, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, frees our mind from worries, helps us focus on happiness, creates a more stable mood, and increases our feelings of control over life’s situations. It also decreases muscle tension, helps with weight loss, enhances energy levels, improves memory, promotes greater tolerance, gives deeper spirituality, slows the aging process, and helps us put things into perspective.

Learning to relax through meditation is a skill that takes time and practice. There are many online resources and apps available. Take time to explore different methods and find what works best for you. Dedicate ten minutes each day for meditation, and learn ways to relax and reflect on the positive

L ega L N otices

NOTICE TO WATER USERS

The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Mar. 1, 2023 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.

WAYNE COUNTY

NEW APPLICATION(S)

95-5487 (A83648): Shane Allen propose(s) using 1.2 ac-ft. from groundwater (3 miles NW of Grover) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.

Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E.

State Engineer

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 2 & 9, 2023

BIDS FOR INSTALLATION OF TOILETS AND DISPENSERS

HENRIEVILLE TOWN HENRIEVILLE TOWN FIREHOUSE

TWO TOILETS, THREE AUTOMATIC PAPER TOWEL DISPENSERS, THREE AUTOMATIC SOAP DISPENSERS

All equipment is on site. Bids open February 6, 2023 and close March 8, 2023.

Send bids via email to henrievilletown@scinternet. net, attention Henrieville Town Clerk, Marie Jaggar, Subject "INSTALL BIDS."

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION TO BID ESCALANTE CITY, UTAH

The City of Escalante, Utah is seeking proposals from qualified, Utah-licensed contractors to crack seal the streets in Escalante City. This project includes 12 tons of Crafco 34211 crack seal material or an equivalent brand applied in a two-inch (2”) band on the Escalante City Streets.

Additional information regarding this project may be obtained from Escalante City at the address given below.

Escalante City

56 North 100 West PO Box 189 Escalante, Utah 84726

435-826-4644

Bids for this project will be received at the offices of Escalante City, noted above, until 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time on March 6, 2023. Bids may also be submitted via email to ssteed@escalantecity.com.

Bids received after the required time will not be accepted. Bids will be opened privately and tabulated. Escalante City reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive irregularities or informalities in any bid.

Posted on the State of Utah’s Public Meeting Notice Website—www.utah.gov/pmn on February 9, 2023.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 9, 16 & 23, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CLEAN THE AIR CARBON TAX ACT INITIATIVE

Public Hearing Feb. 12, 12:30 p.m., 175 W. 900 S. #10, St. George.

This initiative petition proposes the creation of a new carbon tax.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 9, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CLEAN THE AIR CARBON TAX ACT INITIATIVE

Public Hearing Feb. 10, 11 a.m., Nephi City Council Chambers (21 E. 100 N.).

This initiative petition proposes the creation of a new carbon tax.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 9, 2023

Bid For Improvements Bicknell Town

Bicknell Town invites bids for improvements to the town park. The town park is located at 100 N. 200 E., Bicknell, Utah, 84715.

The work includes adding a 40’ x 60’ basketball court, 5 regulation horseshoe pits, a 20’ x 20’ gazebo, a 10’ x 12’ enclosed patio, adding propane heating and new lighting in the park pavilion, new glass doors in the park pavilion, a 3’ retention wall, and a bathroom remodel.

This project is funded in whole or in part by a grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The contractor will be required to comply with all federal labor standards and attendant laws, including the payment of the most current DavisBacon wages and compliance with Section 3 to provide employment opportunities for lower income persons and small businesses. Local, minority and woman owned business owners are encouraged to bid. The lowest responsible bidder will be selected.

Bidding documents and specifications, including Davis Bacon Wage Decision information, may be obtained from the Bicknell Town Hall at 64 W 100 N, Bicknell, UT 84715, beginning February 9, 2023, at 10:00 am. If award is not made within 90 days of Davis Bacon Wage Decision notice, the wages are subject to change.

Sealed bids will be received at the Bicknell Town Hall, 64 W. 100 N., Bicknell, UT 84715 on or before February 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm. Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Town Council Work meeting February 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Bicknell Town Hall, 64 W. 100 N., Bicknell, UT 84715.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 9 & 16, 2023